June court of honor marks transition to summer, fall activities

The troop’s traditional June court of honor marks the end of the troop’s school-year calendar, its transition to summertime activities, and its break before hitting the ground running with its usual, action-packed fall schedule.

The spring court of honor on Monday, June 6 celebrated the advancement success of 10 of its Scouts who earned new merit badges, advanced in rank, or both. In addition to the 19 merit badges presented Monday evening, six Scouts advanced in rank—including two who attained the Eagle Scout rank in May and will be honored during ceremonies later in the year.

While Eagle-required merit badges like the series of Citizenship merit badges and Cooking Merit Badge frequently top the list of those presented at courts of honor, this spring’s ceremony included the likes of elective merit badges like Aviation and Bird Study merit badges. Tyson was also recognized for earning the World Conservation Award.

The pre-summer camp court of honor also marks the biannual transition of elected and appointed youth leaders. Those Scouts installed in their respective positions and who will serve the troop during the second half of the year included:

Leadership Corp

Senior Patrol Leader: Rhett

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Harrison M.
Lead Instructor: James
Lead Troop Guide: Jake
Troop Quartermaster: Johnson

Outdoor Ethics Guide: George

Ice Knights Patrol

Patrol Leader: Jackson

Assistant Patrol Leader: William D.

Quartermaster: Harrison P.

Savage Cabbage Patrol

Patrol Leader: Dillon

Assistant Patrol Leader: Jacob

Quartermaster: Cooper

The June 6 court of honor is the troop’s final Monday-night activity for the summer. Summertime activities will include summer camp at Camp Sequoyah in Delta, Alabama, from June 19-25. Scouts and families will enjoy some social time during the annual “Chill at the Lake” event on Saturday, July 16.

The troop will resume its regular schedule in August in conjunction with the start of the K-12 school year.

‘We all scream for ice cream’ … and awards!

Troop 50 Scouts and their families gathered at the Camden Ridge neighborhood pool on Sunday, Sept. 26 for a fully stocked ice cream sundae bar and swimming—and to celebrate Scouts’ efforts toward earning merit badges and advancing in rank.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Olen (right) congratulates Harrison (left) for earning the Star rank.

In all, the troop awarded 59 merit badges and recognized four Scouts—including two new Eagle Scouts—who advanced in rank. Most of the advancements presented were a result of work completed over the summer while Scouts attended Camp Sequoyah.

One of the troop’s newest Scouts, Reed (left) earned Art and First Aid merit badges
in addition to completing his Firem’n Chit and Totin’ Chip at summer camp.

As expected, Eagle-required merit badges were popular among those awarded. First Aid Merit Badge topped the list, followed by Environmental Science, Communication and Cooking merit badges. Scouts who attended summer camp took the opportunity to earn popular summertime elective merit badges like Archery, Small-Boat Sailing and Canoeing. Among the less-common ones presented were Metalwork, Painting, Pottery and Sculpture merit badges.

Scoutmaster Andrew Baird celebrated Scouts’ other summertime accomplishments. At summer camp, the troop earned first place in the weekly Campsite Inspection Competition and received the Commissioner’s Spirit Award. It also placed second in the camp’s water carnival. He also singled out Beck and Dillon for completing the Mile Swim. In fact, Dillon was the youngest camper to complete the feat the week the troop attended Camp Sequoyah.

Jake (left) and Rhett (right) with Scoutmaster Baird proudly displaying the 50-miler Awards
they earned canoeing Northern Tier.

He also presented Jake and Rhett, who attended the Northern Tier High Adventure Base with 50-miler Awards. These recognize Scouts and leaders who cover 50 consecutive miles by foot, canoe or boat over a period of five or more days.

For more photos from the court of honor, visit the troop’s online photo album.

June court of honor celebrates advancement, service

At its spring court of honor on Monday, June 10, Troop 50 celebrated the advancement success of its Scouts, which included 18 Scouts advancing in rank and 15 earning at least one merit badge since the troop’s December 2018 court of honor. The evening’s event also included the induction of new youth leaders and other individual recognitions.

Outgoing Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Hunter called the court of honor to order and led the group in the traditional opening of the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law and Outdoor Code. Dinner, featuring a taco bar with all the fixings, followed.

Lead Troop Guide Joe congratulates Harris, one of the troop's newest members, on earning the Scout rank.

The court of honor program resumed after dinner with the presentation of ranks, which spanned the awarding of the Scout rank to several Scouts who recently crossed over from Webelos, to the Life rank. As Hunter announced Scouts to be recognized, outgoing Lead Troop Guide Joe handled the duties of distributing the ranks and congratulating Scouts on their accomplishments. Hunter and Joe continued in their duties as the troop bestowed a total of 29 Eagle-required and elective merit badges, as well as Firem’n Chit and Totin’ Chip awards.

The troop's newest slate of youth leaders accept the oath of office for their respective positions.

New Senior Patrol Leader Everett (right) and Assistant
Senior Patrol Leader Luke (left) proudly display their new
position patches.

At the troop’s June 3 meeting, Scouts elected a new slate of youth leaders for the second half of 2019. Scoutmaster Andrew Baird administered the oath of office to those Scouts, which included:

• Senior Patrol Leader: Everett
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Luke
• Lead Instructor: Trey
• Lead Troop Guide: Hunter
• Troop Quartermaster: Michael
• Assistant QM: Harrison M.
• Scribe: Conner
• Troop Bulger: Jason
• Troop Chaplain’s Aide: Rhett
• Pop Tart Turtles: Patrol Leader, Tyson; Assistant Patrol Leader, Gideon; Patrol QM, Harrison M.
• Radioactive Snowmen: Patrol Leader, Will; Assistant Patrol Leader, Connor; Patrol QM, Jake
• New Junior Assistant Scoutmaster: Camp

Scoutmaster Baird also presented the troop’s annual James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award. First presented in 2015, the award is bestowed on the troop's “top Scout” based on his participation in troop activities, demonstration of Scout skills, continuing advancement success, and a vote of his peers. The award honors the memory of Jim Baird, the uncle of Scoutmaster Baird, a 1945 recipient of the Eagle Scout rank and longtime Rotarian leader. This year’s honoree was outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Camp, who will be presented the award at the troop’s next court of honor since he was unable to be present due to previously scheduled travels.

Will (left) and Tyson (right)

The troop concluded the awards program with a variety of other recognitions, including the election of Tyson and Will to the Order of the Arrow at the troop’s June 3 meeting. The Order of the Arrow, or “OA” — also referred to as Scouting's National Honor Society — recognizes Scouts and leaders who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. Arrowmen, as OA members are known, are regarded for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. Tyson and Will will be invited to attend an upcoming OA induction weekend, and after their successful participation, will become official OA members.

Scouting is a family affair for the Bairds:
Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and
Assistant Scoutmaster Davis Baird

Scoutmaster Baird also highlighted the service provided by several adult leaders. These included new assistant scoutmasters Matt Jordan and Joe Lovvorn. He also bestowed a special handmade neckerchief slide to his son Davis who, while a college student, has served as an assistant scoutmaster, especially during vital times when additional last-minute adult leadership was needed. Davis, an Eagle Scout, will be graduating from Auburn University soon and beginning his service in the U.S. Air Force.

Additional photos from the court of honor are available in the troop's online photo album.

The June 10 court of honor is the troop’s final Monday-night activity for the summer. It will resume its regular meeting schedule with a Patrol Leaders’ Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 5, and its next troop meeting on Monday, Aug. 12. In the meantime, Scouts and leaders will travel to Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton, Georgia, for summer camp the week of June 23, followed by its annual “Chill at the Lake” family outing on Saturday, July 27.

Journey to Excellence

       For the sixth straight year (which is every full year of the troop's existence) Troop 50 has achieved gold status in the BSA assessment process known as Journey to Excellence. The program is a self-evaluation which allows units, districts, and councils to measure their strengths with a goal of continual improvement. The unit scorecard contains eleven objectives in the fields of Planning and Budget, Membership, Program, and Volunteer Leadership; and rates various metrics at bronze, silver, and gold levels.

       In 2018, Troop 50 met ten out of eleven objectives. We received gold scores in recruitment (due to a 19.2 percent growth for the year), retention (91.7 percent of the scouts remained in the troop at

year's end), advancement (71 percent of our scouts advanced by at least one rank), and leadership & family engagement (due to our large number of registered leaders and parental involvement). We also scored in the silver range for our camping program, consistent use of the patrol method, and our Webelos to Scout transition plans. We received a total score of 1250 points to achieve gold status, which required us to meet at least eight objectives with a collective total of 1000 points.

       The troop has much to be proud of in 2018. Our scouts collectively earned ninety-nine merit badges and had thirty-five rank advancements. This included three new Eagle Scouts and six Eagle Palms. In fact, we now have four Eagle Scouts who have each earned Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms. Scouts and adult leaders together spent 408 nights of camping, hiked 154 miles, and gave 971 hours of service to the community. These numbers not only reflect on the commitment by the scouts to the program but also the high level of support that we receive from adult volunteers, parents, our charter partners at the Auburn Rotary Club, and the members of the First Presbyterian Church and Auburn United Methodist Church. This meaningful support gives us what we need to meet the troop's mission to GATHER young men into a quality scouting program, GROW them into servant leaders, and GO into the community in service and fellowship.

A Troop 50-style Christmas

Troop 50 Scouts with many of the toys donated through the troop's Toys for Tots drive.

Luke opens the court of honor as
master of ceremonies

On Sunday, Dec. 16, Troop 50 Scouts, leaders and families gathered for the troop's final event of 2018 — its annual December court of honor and Christmas party. It also included the swearing-in of new youth leaders elected and appointed at the troop’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 10.

To complete one of the requirements for Communications Merit Badge, Luke opened the court of honor and served as its master of ceremonies. Following the opening flag presentation, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird offered parents a brief overview of various high-adventure opportunities the troop was considering for future summer outings. These options include Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Northern Tier High-Adventure Base in Northern Minnesota/Southern Canada, Florida Sea Base in the Florida Keys, and The Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve in West Virginia.

Whit receives Architecture Merit Badge from Senior Patrol Leader Joe (left)
and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Jason (center)

Following a brief break so Scouts and families could enjoy a buffet of sweet and salty treats, the ceremony resumed with the presentation of ranks, ranging from Tenderfoot to First Class, to four Scouts. Additionally, the court of honor included the presentation of 15 merit badges — including Architecture Merit Badge, which three Scouts earned as part of the troop’s Merit Badge Day held the previous weekend.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the troop's oath of office for elected and appointed youth leaders.

During the court of honor, youth leaders elected and appointed at the troop’s Dec. 10 meeting were installed. They include:

• Senior Patrol Leader: Camp
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Hunter
• Lead Troop Guide: Joe
• Lead Instructor and Bugler: Jason
• Troop Scribe: Trey
• Troop Chaplain’s Aide: Rhett
• Instructors: Michael V. and Luke
• Junior Assistant Scoutmasters: Louie Harris, Aiden Lytle, Liam Schallock, Nicholas Zuk and Creighton Williams
• Pop Tart Turtles Patrol: Boone (patrol leader), Luke (assistant patrol leader) and James (quartermaster)
• Radioactive Snowmen Patrol: Miles (patrol leader), Tyson (assistant patrol leader) and Will (quartermaster)

Joe and Scoutmaster Baird

The ceremony was the final troop event under the leadership of outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Joe. To mark his six-month tenure, Scoutmaster Baird presented Joe with the traditional handmade neckerchief slide that has come to distinguish Scouts serving in the troop’s top youth leadership position.

At the conclusion of the official court of honor program, Scouts and a few leaders set aside formalities (and, some might say at times, civility) for the troop’s annual “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. As with past year’s gift-exchanges, highly coveted and exchanged presents included camping gadgets like flashlights and multi-function tools, as well as a few technology items like Bluetooth speakers.

Connor celebrates opening one of the frequently "stolen" pocket knives as part of the troop's "Dirty Santa" game.

The court of honor also included the troop’s annual holiday service project — a Toys for Tots drive to support the efforts of the City of Auburn's Public Safety Department. Gifts donated by Troop 50 families included bicycles, sports gear, board games, books and toddler toys. Typically, after all the court of honor activities are over, Scouts and leaders would walk the donations to the main City of Auburn fire station; however, because the station is under construction, the toys were later delivered to the city’s Department of Public Safety office.

The troop’s Patrol Leaders Council will meet on Monday, Jan. 7, and the troop will resume its regular Monday evening meetings on Monday, Jan. 14.

For more photos from the court of honor, visit the troop’s online photo album.

...and they all scream for ice cream

Troop 50’s annual end-of-the-spring court of honor on Sunday, June 3, celebrated the scenes and flavors of summer as Scouts, leaders and families gathered at the Moore’s Mill Neighborhood Pool for an afternoon event that included an ice cream sundae bar and a dip in the pool. The event was not all play, as the troop had some serious business to attend to — namely, electing its summer/fall youth leaders and the recognizing several Scouts for their advancement efforts.

Scoutmaster Baird installs newly elected youth leaders, which included (left to right)
Patrol Leader Olen, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Jason, and Senior Patrol Leader Joe.
Jacob, who is expected to complete his Eagle Scout Board of Review in the coming weeks,
was installed as a junior assistant scoutmaster.

Harrison was among the troop's newest Scouts who received
their Scout rank following their crossover from
Webelos to the troop in April.

First on the agenda were troop elections for senior patrol leader and patrol leaders. The slate of nominees included several long-serving and dedicated Scouts. Following campaign speeches by candidates and voting by the Scouts in attendance, the summer/fall cadre of elected leaders will include Joe, elected as senior patrol leader, and Camp and Olen, who were elected as patrol leaders. Additional appointments included Jason, who Joe selected as his assistant senior patrol leader. Also appointed as junior assistant scoutmasters were Liam, who was presented his Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony in May, and Jacob, who has completed his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project and is expected to pass his board of review this summer.

This court of honor cycle included 10 rank advancements (most of which were Scout ranks awarded to our newest Scouts) and 25 merit badges. It also include two Eagle Scout palms — a gold one for Louie and a silver one for Creighton.

Outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Rusty receives a neckerchief slide handmade by
Scoutmaster Baird, which has come to indicate the troop's past senior patrol leaders.

The final two items on the court of honor agenda included recognizing several Scouts for their exceptional achievement. This included outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Rusty, who Scoutmaster Andrew Baird presented with the traditional handmade neckerchief slide denoting those Scouts who have served in the troop’s top leadership position.

Jacob receives the Honor Scout Award from Scoutmaster Baird. This year's co-recipient, Creighton,
who was unable to be present for the court of honor, will receive his recognition at a later date.

By the end of the court of honor,
the ice cream bar had been
decimated.

Scoutmaster Baird also awarded this year’s Honor Scout Award. First presented in 2015, the James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award is bestowed annually to the troop's "top Scout" based on his participation in troop activities, demonstration of Scout skills, continuing advancement success, and a vote of his peers. The award honors the memory of Jim Baird, the uncle of Scoutmaster Baird, a 1945 recipient of the Eagle Scout rank and longtime Rotarian leader. Competition for this year’s award was steep, resulting in unprecedented co-winners — former senior patrol leaders Jacob and Creighton.

The spring court of honor concludes the end of the troop’s regular school-year programming. Summer activities will include a contingent attending summer camp at Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina, the troop’s annual “Chill at the Lake” summer family gathering, and the conclusion of the troop’s God and Life Protestant religious emblems program. The troop will resume its regular Monday-evening troop meetings on Monday, Aug. 6.

Additional photos from the troop's spring court of honor are available on the troop's online photo album.

Troop concludes 2017 with annual court of honor, Christmas party and toy drive

Conner, the troop's newest Scout, receives his first
merit badge – Veterinary Medicine Merit Badge

It should be no surprise in December that Troop 50 Scouts look forward to two things — advancement awards and Christmas presents. The troop’s annual December court of honor failed to disappoint on Monday, Dec. 18, when Scouts gathered with their families for the presentation of merit badges and ranks, as well as a spirited “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. The court of honor featured the presentation of seven rank advancements and 38 merit badges — the majority earned during the troop’s recent Veterinary Medicine Merit Badge class at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and Merit Badge Day.

Scoutmaster Baird installs the newly elected youth leaders.

With Scouts having elected new youth leadership two weeks prior to the court of honor, Senior Patrol Leader Jacob presided over the event as his last official act in the position. As part of the court of honor, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird installed the recently elected class of youth leaders by administering the oath of office. New troop leaders for the first half of 2018 include (pictured above, left to right): Jacob, lead troop guide; Josh, instructor; Hunter, patrol leader of the newly created Big Money Monkeys Patrol; Rusty, senior patrol leader; Olen, assistant patrol leader of the Big Money Monkeys Patrol; Luke, quartermaster of the Big Money Monkeys Patrol; Trey, patrol leader of the newly created Combat Wombats Patrol; Joe, assistant senior patrol leader; Joey, assistant patrol leader of the Combat Wombats Patrol and troop chaplain’s aide; Miles, patrol quartermaster for the Combat Wombats Patrol; Camp, troop quartermaster; Liam, assistant troop quartermaster; and Boone, instructor (not pictured is Michael, lead troop guide). Continuing their service are are Everett, instructor; and Jason, troop historian.

Mr. Baird installs the troop's junior assistant scoutmasters.

In addition to installing the troop’s newly elected youth leaders, Mr. Baird administered the oath of office to the troop’s growing cadre of junior assistant scoutmasters: (left to right) Louie, Aiden, Nicky and Creighton. The troop promotes Scouts to this advanced level of leadership following their completion of the Eagle Scout rank, but before they would be old enough to serve in an adult position. Aiden and Creighton — by virtue of their continued merit badge work beyond the presentation of their Eagle Scout ranks earlier in the year — also received Eagle palms during the ceremony.

Jacob with his outgoing senior patrol leader recognition.

Mr. Baird made two additional presentations to close out the evening’s court of honor. The first was a handmade neckerchief slide, which he presented to Jacob. The neckerchief slide has become his traditional means of recognizing outgoing senior patrol leaders for their terms of service.

His second presentation was to incoming Senior Patrol Leader Rusty — the American flag that honored Mr. Baird’s father during his funeral service in October 2017. A veterinarian by training, Dr. Charles Baird graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in 1960, served in the U.S. Air Force, and practiced as a veterinarian for more than 50 years. Mr. Baird noted that his father would have wanted to know the flag was being used to benefit others, so he asked SPL Rusty to ensure it is part of the troop's instructional activities, including training newer Scouts about flag etiquette and the ceremonial procedures that are part of the earlier rank requirements Scouts are required to complete.

The pomp and circumstance of the court of honor quickly gave way to the annual madness associated with the troop’s “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. Among the traditional gifts of camping implements and supplies, knives and flashlights were a few oddities — including $9.95 in various coins that was frozen in a block of ice.

In addition to celebrating Christmas as a troop family through the yearly game of “Dirty Santa,” Troop 50 families also remembered others through its annual toy-collection drive. Bicycles, athletics gear, games and other toys were among the gifts donated by troop families and walked by Scouts and leaders to the main City of Auburn fire station on East Magnolia Avenue. This annual troop service project benefits the firefighters’ “Toys for Tots” drive and dates back to the troop’s first Christmas court of honor after its founding in November 2012.

The court of honor concluded the troop’s scheduled 2017 events. The troop will take a hiatus until its first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 8.

For more pictures from the court of honor, visit the troop's online photo album.

TGIF (Summer Camp Day 6)

Michael, Jason, Beck, Paul, Tyson, and Joe at flag ceremony

Friday morning started off nicely with cool temperatures and lower humidity.  We actually felt the most breeze of the week as well.  The troop was in charge of the flag raising ceremony today and the troop awoke a little earlier to practice and get there in time in Class A uniform.  The color guard led by SPL Jacob did a magnificent job and represented the troop well.  Unfortunately, the American flag we were given to raise had no grommets!  Paul, Beck, and Jacob handled this situation well and just raised the other flags and reverently held the American flag.

Beck and Michael in a "carry" relay

After the ceremony, we went to breakfast and had mixed results.  One table was somewhat pleased with breakfast while the other table was pretty unimpressed.  We were served Eggo pancakes with syrup flavoring and scrambled (folded) eggs.  After breakfast, scouts headed to their final merit badge classes before a busy afternoon at the waterfront.  The Eagle Bound folks (first year scouts) participated in some relay races to reinforce skills.

We all met for lunch after merit badge classes and were treated to hamburgers, chips, and mini moon pies.  It was surprising how many didn't know what a moon pie was!  After lunch there were a few merit badge items that needed to be tended to and then everyone headed down to the waterfront for the water carnival!

Luke, Joe, Trey, Boone, and Hunter before race

The water carnival is a troop competition with seven different events. The events include Water Spaniel Special, Swim by Weight, In and Out Canoe Race, Life Jacket Relay, Fun Noodle Race, Canoe Tug of War, and Scoutmaster Belly-Flop.  Our Water Spaniel Special contained a relay team of Luke, Joe, Trey, Boone, and Hunter.  The scouts had to paddle with their hands and find a specific buoy and bring it back.  The majority of the scouts swam in the Swim by Weight competition and Beck and Joe placed in their divisions!

Canoe Tug of War competition.

The In and Out Canoe Race was led by Hunter and Boone.  This proved a difficult event because of how hard it is to get into a canoe from the lake.  The Life Jacket Relay was led by Michael, Joe, Trey, and Beck.  This is a relay where you swim with the life jacket.  The Fun Noodle Race was won by Tyson!  Mr. Lytle kindly agreed to compete in the Scoutmaster Belly-Flop contest and finished with a very respectable 7 of 10.  There were a few "boos" after he chanted loudly "War Eagle!", but they're just jealous.  The carnival ended with a tough fought Canoe Tug of War battle with Troop 98 of Columbus.  Our contingent of Jacob, Jason, Joey, Joe, and Luke battled hard, but eventually swamped their canoe.

Andrew Stanford before the Iron Man competition

After the water carnival, we had to rush back for the flag ceremony and dinner.   We were treated to pasta, green beans, peaches, and chocolate chip cookies.  After dinner a few headed down to the waterfront again for the triathlon.  This event was rescheduled from the storm the day before.  Assistant Scoutmaster Andrew Stanford participated as an Iron Man and the troop also had a team of Michael, Joey, and Luke competing.

The triathlon consisted in a quarter mile swim, a 2 mile run, and a half mile canoe paddle.  Andrew competed in all events on his own while Michael took the swimming portion, Joey took the running portion, and Luke took the canoeing portion.  Michael really struggled with swimming a quarter mile, but he finished!  His determination is quite impressive.  Joey and Luke picked up the team well by finishing strong on the running and canoeing portion.  All who participated should be proud.

Luke, Joey, and Michael strategize before triathlon

After the triathlon it was time for the closing campfire.  The troop performed the original skit "Most Interesting Scout" written by Assistant Scoutmaster Davis Baird.  They did a fine job and the camp seemed to like it a lot.  There were many other skits and songs and awards given out.  The troop did earn the Commissioner's Spirit Award for demonstrating good scout spirit all week at camp.  This was a well deserved award for the troop that worked hard all week.

Scouts dancing at closing campfire

Everyone went to sleep for one more night at camp.  Several were overheard mentioning how nice it will be to sleep in their own beds! For more pictures from Camp Sequoyah Day 6, check out our troop photo album.

Spring Court of Honor highlights leadership, achievement

Senior Patrol Leader Josh calls the court of honor to order with
the Pledge of Allegiance.

Troop 50's spring court of honor was an evening packed with activities marking the end of the troop year and the beginning of an equally busy summer Scouting season. The evening included the introduction of a first-ever court of honor taco bar, Order of the Arrow and youth leadership elections, the distribution of merit badges and ranks, and the announcement of the troop's recipient of the 2017 James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award.

Scouts eligible for election to the Order of the Arrow gathered for consideration.

An election team of Scouts representing the Order of the Arrow's Chattahoochee Lodge conducted the troop's annual OA elections. Scouts who were eligible for election to the BSA's service organization and national honor society must have been under 21, earned First Class, experienced at least 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the previous two-year period, including one long-term camping experience (i.e., summer camp), and received their scoutmaster's approval. Troop 50 Scouts who were elected will find out about their selection at summer camp or at another time during the summer in time to attend the lodge's summer induction weekend (also known as an Ordeal) Aug. 4-6.

SPL Josh congratulates Hunter on earning his Star rank. 

Senior Patrol Leader Josh and Scoutmaster Andrew Baird then awarded merit badges and ranks earned since the troop's last court of honor in December 2016. The spring court of honor included the presentation of eight rank advancements and 40 merit badges. Among the most popular merit badges presented was Fingerprinting Merit Badge, which Scout parent and Auburn Police Officer Bill Schallock taught during a February troop meeting, and Snow Sports Merit Badge, which Scouts earned in conjunction with the troop's annual trip to Gatlinburg in January.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the oath of office to the troop's incoming class of  youth leaders.

Josh displays a handmade neckerchief slide and display box from
Scoutmaster Baird in recognition of his service as
senior patrol leader

At the start of the court of honor, in addition to electing candidates for the Order of the Arrow, Scouts elected the troop's youth leadership who will serve during the summer and the remainder of the calendar year. With the votes cast, Scoutmaster Baird distributed position patches and administered the oath of office to the incoming cohort of youth leaders, which included (group photo above, left to right): Senior Patrol Leader Jacob, Patriots Assistant Patrol Leader Miles, Patriots Patrol Leader Joe, Armored Armadillos Patrol Leader Michael,Troop Quartermaster Paul, Lead Troop Guide and Leadership Corps member Rusty, and Lead Troop Instructor and Leadership Corps member Aiden. Scoutmaster Baird also recognized outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Josh for his service by presenting him with a handmade neckerchief slide and display box.

The final item on the agenda for Scout recognition was the annual presentation of the troop's James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award. First presented in 2015, this award is given annually to the troop's "top Scout" based on his participation in troop activities, demonstration of Scout skills, continuing advancement success, and a vote of his peers. The award honors the memory of Jim Baird, the uncle of Scoutmaster Baird, a 1945 recipient of the Eagle Scout rank and longtime Rotarian leader. The award includes an engraved Eagle statuette, as well as a $100 credit to the honoree's troop activities account. This year's recipient was Nicky, who was completing a term as lead troop instructor and will serve the remainder of the year as assistant senior patrol leader. He was unable to accept his award in person, since he was participating in an out-of-town session of the Boy Scouts' National Youth Leadership Training.

Assistant Scoutmaster Williams (right) receives the
Scout Leader's Training Award from Scoutmaster Baird.

The evening concluded with one additional presentation: the Scout Leader's Training Award, which was earned by Assistant Scoutmaster Wes Williams. The award recognizes adult leaders who complete a number of required volunteer training courses and who provide specific leadership at the unit level and beyond.

The court of honor marks the troop's last Monday-evening gathering until it resumes its regular troop meeting schedule on Aug. 7. Until then, troop activities will include a summer camp contingent to Camp Sequoyah in Delta, Alabama, from June 11 to 17, a backpacking expedition to Philmont National Scout Ranch in New Mexico from June 17 to July 2, and representation at the National Boy Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia from July 18 to 28. The troop also plans its annual "Chill at the Lake" event for July 15.

For more photos from the troop's spring court of honor, visit its online photo album.

Scoutcraft skills key to camporee success

The weekend of March 31 to April 2, Troop 50 Scouts and leaders joined five other Saugahatchee District troops at Chewacla State Park for the district's annual Frank Horky Spring Camporee.

As in year’s past, the spring camporee events are centered around the experiences of Scouting’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell, during the Siege of Mafeking during the Second Boer War. Baden-Powell, a British colonel, was charged with defending the South African town during the 217 days the siege extended from 1899 to 1900. Because of the shortage of manpower in the town, boys below the official fighting age volunteered to support the troops, carry messages and help in the hospital. This freed up men for military duties, and kept the boys occupied.

The Mafeking Cadet Corps are sometimes considered as forerunners of the modern Scouting movement, which Baden-Powell founded in England in 1907 before it migrated to the United States in 1910. They were given khaki uniforms and a wide-brimmed hat, and the townspeople often commented on their smartness. Returning home from the war in 1903, Baden-Powell found that he had become a national hero. He also found that the small handbook he had written for soldiers, Aids to Scouting, was being used by boys throughout England to learn observation, woodcraft and outdoor skills.

Camporee events mimicked many of the observation, navigation, outdoor survival skills Baden-Powell imparted to his soldiers and cadets, and to those who benefited from his Aids to Scouting handbook. In line with the Siege of the Mafeking experience, and to heighten the level of complexity, events began in the darkness of Friday night at 9 p.m. and concluded at 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Twelve different patrols from six troops competed in 13 different camporee competitions. Those that Troop 50 patrols placed in included:

• Overall: 3rd place, Leadership Corps
• Electric Fence: work as a team to move the entire group over an electrified fence — 2nd place, Leadership Corps
• Enemy Spies: maneuver around the searchlight beams of an enemy camp  — 2nd place, Armored Armadillos Patrol
• Man Down!: provide first aid and transport a member of your patrol wounded by enemy sniper fire — 1st place, Leadership Corps; 2nd place, Patriots Patrol
• Map Sketch: recall from memory and sketch out the elements of an enemy encampment — 3rd place, Armored Armadillos Patrol
• Navigators' Nightmare: using your compass, follow the course provided — 1st place, Armored Armadillos Patrol; 2nd place: Patriots Patrol
• Observation Post: recall from memory a collection of items viewed for only 90 seconds — 3rd place, Armored Armadillos Patrol
• River Crossing: estimate the width of a river crossing without conventional measuring instruments — 3rd place, Leadership Corps
• Signal for Help: send and receive a message by Morse code — 3rd place, Leadership Corps
• Starlight, Star Bright: without using a compass, find a given direction — 1st place (tie), Leadership Corps
• Tower of Power: build a tripod to test your speed and strength — 2nd place, Leadership Corps

The troop readies to hit the trails in search of litter.

Between a late night of competitions and an afternoon of
mountain biking, Scouts like Trey were tuckered out!

After sleeping in a little later on Saturday morning and preparing breakfast, the troop participated in a camporee-wide service project benefiting Chewacla State Park. Each troop was assigned a portion of the park's walking trails and popular gathering areas to pick up litter. Scouts then returned to the campsite to prepare lunch before participating in one of several afternoon activities. Scouts divided themselves between field sports, geocaching (led by Scoutmaster Andrew Baird), hiking, and mountain biking (led by Assistant Scoutmaster Clyde Wikle).

Saturday evening's camporee-wide campfire provided
opportunities for fellowship, entertainment and
awards presentations.

After resting some, Scouts then went about preparing dinner before Saturday evening's camporee-wide campfire and awards ceremony. The troop's two patrols, as well as the Leadership Corps, performed skits for the troops in attendance.

Scouts awoke Sunday morning to prepare breakfast, attend the closing flag ceremony and participate in a camporee-wide devotional service led by the troop's chartered organization representative, Michael Tullier.

At the Patrol Leaders Council meeting on Monday, the troop's youth leadership praised the camporee competitions and the patrols' performance, as well as the variety of Saturday afternoon activities; the Saturday campfire featuring performances by other troops; the leadership provided by the troop's patrol leaders; the food prepared by the patrols; campout setup on Friday and take down on Sunday; and campsite noise levels. The PLC noted that a central location for event schedules and other event information would help reduce questions and keep Scouts informed throughout the event.

For more photos from the spring camporee, visit the troop's online photo album.